It is very difficult to place the unusual musical, 'Little Shop of Horrors', into that particular genre - musical - because of its frightening content...the predilection of a plant towards eating humans.

It sits well alongside other unusual musicals such as the 'Rocky Horror Picture Show', and it has been performed onstage in many countries around the world since it first appeared in the Orpheum Theatre in New York, on July 27, 1982.

Now it is Ararat's turn, with the Ararat Musical Comedy Society (AMCS) this time pulling the strings.

Some avid, and probably older, film-goers would know that 'The Little Shop of Horrors' was released as a very forgettable non-musical movie back in 1960.

It was directed by Roger Corman and written by Charles Griffiths, and the only actor from that movie who is remembered to this day is Jack Nicholson, who, fresh-faced and not long into acting, played a small role as the crazy-mad dentist, called - would you believe - Wilbur Force.

This name was changed with the musical and stage production to Orin Scrivello DDS (played in the world premiere of the stage show by Frank Luz) and was played in the movie musical, 'Little Shop of Horrors' -released in 1986 - by the irrepressible and outlandish Steve Martin.

The only actor to appear in both the later movie and the original stage production was the gorgeous Ellen Greene, who played Audrey Fulquard, Seymour Krelborn's only true love.

The movie musical (released in 1986) also starred Rick Moranis, as Seymour, and Vincent Gardenia as Gravis Mushnik, the shopkeeper, with special guest appearances from the late John Candy, as well as from Bill Murray and James Belushi.

The stageplay for the musical 'Little Shop of Horrors' was based on the film, even though it appeared onstage four years before the movie was released; the Book and Lyrics being written by Howard Ashman, and the Music by Alan Menken.

As a Musical Comedy, of course, its 'comedy' is a little on the dark side, and, in the words of Howard Ashman, it satirises science fiction, B Grade movies (a category into which the original movie of 1960 may well fall), musical comedy, and even the legend of Faust.

Mushnik's Skid Row Florist's shop is an establishment which has been going through some hard times of late and it is the main focus of the show.

It is run by the grumpy, loud and frustrated Mushnik, along with his two employees; Seymour, who is a sweet, insecure, well-meaning nerd, and the secret love of Seymour's life, the dizzy and somewhat vulnerable Audrey.

Audrey's boyfriend (if 'friend' is the right word to use) is the wild and sadistic dentist, Orin Scrivello, DDS.

When Seymour purchases a strange and interesting plant (which he subsequently calls Audrey II) and brings it back to the Skid Row shop, some sudden, dramatic, and even horrific changes begin to occur.

The show is set in the 1960s, with many of the songs reflecting the sounds of that era, and a group of singers who call themselves Crystal, Ronnette and Chiffon (the names harking back to three girl singing groups from the 60s) pop up at various times during the show and they become a very important ingredient - along with a large supporting cast of actors and singers - in what is a unique, unexpected and extraordinary show; one which we know will entirely captivate you.

© Douglas W Koschel 2005